Marilyn Manson‘s groundbreaking and maniacal career as arguably the biggest, most controversial artist of his time has undoubtedly left a huge mark on not just the alternative music world, but alternative society as a whole. Since the creation of Marilyn Manson in the early ’90s, the seer, scribe, painter, actor, criminal, panderer of chaos, live performer and rock and roll demagogue has sold over 50 million records worldwide, including his latest offering, The Pale Emperor. His ninth studio album sees Manson roaring back above the froth of mass-media and mediocrity to deliver a set of soul-stripping, kiss-smearing, church floor-burning songs that comprise, unequivocally, his most fully-wrought album since 1998’s epochal Mechanical Animals. Marilyn Manson has appeared on the cover of Alternative Press Magazine four times, with his first appearance in the magazine in 1996 (AP 93). The Pale Emperor is also nominated for the 2016 Album of the Year award, presented by Journeys, a full 20 years after the release of his legendary 1996 album Antichrist Superstar. Manson’s unique ability to continually make trends and break the mold of the music industry is why he, along with his legacy, is the perfect candidate for this year’s Icon Award, presented by Equal Vision Records/MerchNOW.

This year’s APMAs, hosted by Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat of eight-time AP cover stars All Time Low, will broadcast live the evening of July 18 from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio (schottensteincenter.com). The APMAs are offering a “punk-rock convention” as an alternative to the Republican National Convention taking place in the magazine’s hometown of Cleveland that night.

Confirmed 2016 APMAs performers include platinum-selling headliners A Day To Remember, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Of Mice & Men, Papa Roach,BABYMETAL, Issues, the Maine, Mayday Parade and Beartooth, with more artists still to be announced. The 2016 APMAs also will feature a special appearance from Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie of post-hardcore favorites Underøath, who just finished their 2016 “Rebirth” tour. Gillespie is nominated in the Best Drummercategory, presented by DW Drums.

Visit the APMAs Vans Voting Site at altpress.com/apmasvote2016 to check out all of this year’s nominees and vote for your favorites now! Voting has become an international phenomenon, with ballots coming in from over 130 countries. Also, visit this location for information regarding future performing artists, honorees and presenter announcements, tickets and VIP packages, pre-show parties, red carpet appearances and beyond.

Alternative Press Music Awards tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster here, and VIP experience packages are available via SoundRink-An Experience Company!SoundRink VIP packages will include limited merchandise, elite access to the red carpet and prime indoor seating and VIP meet-and-greets. The APMAs is also partnering with PromoWest Fest (www.promowestfest.com, Columbus, July 15 to 17), so tickets will be available via their box office through Ticketmaster as well.

Last year’s event earned the title of “The GRAMMYs of Alternative Music” from TIME Magazine. The 2015 Alternative Press Music Awards achieved over one million views on AXS TV and over three million views on YouTube. Re-live 2015’s best moments via the highlight reel here. The APMAs have featured performances by some of today’s biggest rock artists and bona fide legends-from Fall Out Boy, Twenty One Pilots,Panic! At The Disco and Paramore’s Hayley Williams to Weezer, Joan Jett andGuns N’ Roses co-founder Slash.